People’s personal conditions, in large part, depend on the governance model that represents them. Ideally, it doesn’t try to “reimagine” or “remake” them, gives them the widest of latitudes to solve their own problems, is (relatively) free from corruption, and acts as a neutral umpire (as opposed to being subjected and joined with Crony Capitalism).
Humans, as economist Julian Simon long argued, are the ultimate resource. It is human creativity that turns nature into natural resources and raw materials into valuable capital and new technologies. Unfortunately, much of humanity, by accident of birth, lives in countries where human creativity is constrained. Though not the only reason for low productivity, lousy governance is often what prevents humans from making the most of their creativity and potential.
-Benjamin Powell (Wretched Refuse?)
Indeed.
The Left is always, it seems, wishing to export our wealth to “help the poor” in other countries. They decry the poor, the starvation, and the utter misery that people are – and think that money is the answer. We’re seeing that now in Joe Biden’s illegal immigration man-made crisis at our border. One of the cries we hear is that it is up to us to “fix” the situation that causes the violence that yields the conditions by which these poor souls march hundreds or thousands of miles to the US.
The root cause, though many won’t say it, is the absolutely wretched governance in those countries. If Governments were protecting their peoples’ Rights, much of the problem would stop. If they would enforce their laws, things would be better. If the politicians and bureaucrats weren’t on the take, and corruption rooted out, their people might have a shining chance to succeed.
Instead, we just send “stuff” thinking that will alleviate the problems. Heck, we can’t even do that here in our own country. And how many, just to pick on the State to our south, Speakers of their House have ended up in jail – consecutively (and if you listen to Howie Carr’s radio show, you’d know)?
But do we have the “Right” to go in and change another government if all it is doing is letting its people go (as opposed to allowing military training of those that would “change us” from without)?
No.
But neither are we bound to let those people in, either. If those of you readers think I have a cold heart, I’ll ask this:
Instead of putting a collective burden on the rest of us that would make you feel better about yourself, how about taking in a dozen refugees into your own home and support them yourself – and then we’ll think much more of you than we do than foisting that responsibility on our us first?
(H/T: Cafe Hayek)
